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Philadelphia House Delegation reacts to SEPTA Board approval of budget

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Cephas announces investments in neighborhood infrastructure

(1 day ago) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – State Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., announced today that the PA Housing and Finance Agency has awarded nearly $3.1 million in low-income housing tax credits to development projects in West Philadelphia neighborhoods of the 192nd Legislative District.The award for the Media Flats development will receive over $1.4 million to invest in new construction of multifamily units for seniors. The West Philadelphia Preservation project will receive nearly $1.7 million to help with rehabilitation of single-family row-home style rental properties. Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El, Hohenstein to hold news conference Oct. 28 in support of their legislation to create Office of New Pennsylvanians

(1 day ago) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – State Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, and Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila., will be joined by representatives of Church World Service at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28 in the East Wing Rotunda, Harrisburg, for a news conference in support of their legislation (H.B. 1113) that would create an Office of New Pennsylvanians to support, attract and retain immigrants in the commonwealth. “Our immigrant communities are an integral part of Pennsylvania’s economic growth, making up over 8% of our state’s work force and paying $3.3 billion yearly in state and local taxes,” Smith-Wade-El said. “But they are facing too many roadblocks due to bureaucratic red tape and restrictive policies targeting immigrant communities. “To keep these skilled workers, entrepreneurs, consumers and community leaders in our state, I’ve introduced a bill that would raze the maze of bureaucratic silos by establishing an Office of New Pennsylvanians that would be a one-stop shop for benefits and resources for immigrants under the auspices of the PA Department of Community and Economic Development.” “My support for immigrant rights is based on my belief in the value of all working people. Organized labor was born in immigrant communities from the coal mines in Pennsylvania to sweatshops in New York and to the grape harvests in California,” Hohenstein said. “Immigrants bring so much to our state – whether Read more

 

Andre Carroll, one of younger state legislators, talks Pa. budget, youth vote and Kada Scott

(Oct 21, 2025) Philadelphia House Delegation

Andre Carroll, one of younger state legislators, talks Pa. budget, youth vote and Kada Scott Read more

 

Fiedler, Matzie introduce resolution urging Congress to fully fund LIHEAP, reinstate fired employees

(Oct 21, 2025) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, Oct. 21 – Today, Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., and Rep. Robert Matzie, D-Beaver, introduced a resolution urging Congress and President Donald Trump to permanently reinstate federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program employees and to increase funding for the program. LIHEAP is a federal cash grant program that helps low-income families across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., heat and cool their homes, make emergency repairs, and prevent shutoffs of essential utilities. In Pennsylvania, 300,000 households depend on LIHEAP for heating assistance in a typical year. On April 2, Trump laid off all federal staff responsible for administering LIHEAP and proposed zero funding in his fiscal year 2026 federal budget, leaving Pennsylvanians in the lurch. “Staying warm in the winter is not a partisan issue. Red, blue, doesn’t matter. People in all areas of our commonwealth depend on LIHEAP funding to get them safely through the coldest months. It’s a federal program that literally saves lives,” said Matzie . “It seems unconscionable that funding would be withheld, but here we are. And let’s be clear, this has nothing to with the current shutdown – the funding was cut in the proposed federal budget. This resolution is a simple plea to Congress to do the right thing. Restore LIHEAP funding. People’s lives depend on it.” One in five Pennsylvania households report Read more

 

George’s Hill Pump Station project receives state financing

(Oct 15, 2025) Philadelphia House Delegation

State Reps. Roni Green and Morgan Cephas, both D-Phila., today announced that the new George’s Hill Pump Station project in West Philadelphia is receiving $47.65 million in financing from the state. Read more

 

Cephas: Transit is Personal

(Oct 14, 2025) Philadelphia House Delegation

State Rep. Morgan Cephas, chairwoman of the Philadelphia House Delegation, explains why funding public transportation is a personal issue for many legislators, including herself. It's about mobility; it's about opportunity. Recent delays, overcrowding, and cancellations on SEPTA's Regional Rail lines highlight why transit agencies can’t rely on flexing capital improvement funds to support their operating budgets. Cephas emphasizes that finding a stable, recurring funding mechanism for SEPTA—and all transit agencies across Pennsylvania—is essential. Read more

 

Rabb renews call to repeal death penalty in Pennsylvania

(Oct 10, 2025) Rep. Christopher M. Rabb

Proposes bill abolishing death penalty for fourth time since 2017 Read more

 

Fiedler, Powell, Khan, Probst bill to address school facilities crisis in Pa. passes House

(Oct 10, 2025) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, Oct 10 – On Wednesday, the School Facilities Inventory Bill, H.B. 1701, passed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. The bill, introduced by Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, Rep. Tarik Khan, D-Phila., and Rep. Tarah Probst, D-Monroe/Pike, would address the issue of outdated and unsafe school buildings in Pennsylvania, facilitating the process by which school facilities are assessed and prioritized. “You can’t fix a problem until you know the scope of what you’re dealing with, and this bill gets us to that place,” Fiedler said. “H.B. 1701 would help us compile comprehensive data on Pennsylvania’s school buildings and ensure that recommendations on our most urgent funding needs are made by experts. That way, we can move quickly and efficiently to support schools in making repairs.” Fiedler noted that a wide scope of important building information would be provided, including the age of the buildings and their renovation history, building size and enrollment capacity. The assessments would also consider factors such as heating and ventilation, ADA compliance and environmental risk factors such as asbestos and mold. Currently, there is no statewide inventory of the condition of school buildings, nor is there statewide criteria for assessing facilities’ needs. The legislation passed Wednesday would create a comprehensive Read more

 

“Navigating Toward Success” - 13th Annual Business Opportunity Forum.

(Oct 10, 2025) Philadelphia House Delegation

On October 3, 2025, the City of Philadelphia Department of Aviation held its 13th Annual Business Opportunity Forum. Business owners, corporate leaders and local officials gathered at the Philadelphia Airport Marriott to focus on how local businesses can participate in major upcoming projects at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE).The event theme was “Navigating Toward Success” and speakers from various City of Philadelphia departments and local officials including Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson, Councilmember At-Large Katherine Gilmore Richardson, Pennsylvania State Representative Regina Young, and Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor were featured on the program. Read more

 

House Agriculture, Education committees hear testimony on Keystone Fresh Act

(Oct 07, 2025) Rep. Danilo Burgos

HARRISBURG, Oct. 7 – The Pennsylvania House Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee and House Education Committee held a joint hearing today on H.B. 1768, the Keystone Fresh Act, introduced by state Reps. Danilo Burgos and Jonathan Fritz. The bipartisan legislation would expand access to fresh, locally sourced foods in school meals while supporting Pennsylvania farmers and strengthening local economies. The complete hearing can be viewed here . "Schools across Pennsylvania serve more than 168 million lunches per year , providing critical nutrients to children across the state and making them one of the largest potential markets for agricultural producers in Pennsylvania,” said Burgos, D-Phila. “However, school board food service providers reportedly only spend 9% of their total food costs on local foods. Local food purchasing incentive legislation , like the Keystone Fresh Act, would establish a grant program incentivizing schools to purchase, promote and serve local foods in their meal programs.” The Keystone Fresh Act would provide funding for schools to buy more local foods, and resources for farmers to meet school market needs. Research shows that for every $1 spent on local food purchasing initiatives, $1.40 circulates back into local economies. With Pennsylvania’s diverse agriculture sector, this program would improve student nutrition, stimulate the farm economy, and strengthen connections among Read more

 

Pa. House Tourism Committee discusses bill to fight human trafficking

(Oct 02, 2025) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, Oct. 2 – The state House Tourism, Recreation and Economic Development Committee today held a hearing on a bill to train Pennsylvania employees of hotels, motels, online lodging and reservation companies, and other establishments to identify and report signs of human trafficking. House Bill 1286 is sponsored by state Rep. Regina Young , D-Phila./Delaware, and would provide for mandatory human trafficking awareness training for Pennsylvania workers in the hospitality industry, including online lodging and reservation companies. “Since I’ve been a legislator, I’ve been working to end human trafficking,” Young said. “It’s an unfortunate evil that lurks in our region because of easy access to interstate and international transportation hubs. The heartfelt testimony we heard today confirms the need to train hotel, motel and other lodging employees to be aware of the warning signs and report them. We can end human trafficking through education and speaking up for these most vulnerable victims.” The full hearing can be watched at https://youtube.com/live/MoNweqGt3eo . The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts in January 2025 revealed 1,235 human trafficking offenses filed across 366 cases in the state between 2020 and 2024. During the hearing, expert testimony laid out the case for Pennsylvania to do more in its fight against human trafficking. Testifiers also Read more

 

House clears Solomon data breach bill

(Oct 01, 2025) Rep. Jared G. Solomon

“Our personal information is under constant threat,” Solomon said. “Numerous high-profile breaches in recent years—such as those involving Equifax, Facebook, Target, Sears, Delta and others—have exposed sensitive data like credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, and other personal information. It’s clear we must do more to protect the private information of Pennsylvanians from falling into the wrong hands.” Read more

 

Neilson bill to protect consumers’ personal information online passes Pa. House

(Oct 01, 2025) Rep. Ed Neilson

“Many people who shop online or even just browse the internet don’t realize that with each click, they could be giving away sensitive data that is sold to a third party or used nefariously. Consumers have a right to privacy, and online shopping shouldn’t be exempt from that,” Neilson said. Read more

 

Technology would increase access to state programs, services for all

(Sep 25, 2025) Philadelphia House Delegation

“Sadly, as we heard today, not everyone in Pennsylvania has the ability to access the services and information provided by our state government,” said Rep. Joe Hohenstein, who represents portions of Philadelphia and hosted the House Majority Policy Committee hearing during his Disability Summit at Temple University. “For many, technology can serve as a lifeline. Universal access and universal accommodation would allow everyone, including people with disabilities, to access state government services and information, including something as vital as employment opportunities.” Read more

 

Brown calls for Hunger Task Force to help feed state

(Sep 25, 2025) Philadelphia House Delegation

Amid SNAP cuts, rising prices, Brown looks for solutions Read more

 

House Judiciary Committee advances gun violence prevention bills

(Sep 22, 2025) Philadelphia House Delegation

“As legislators, we have a responsibility to act when lives are at stake,” Chairman Briggs said. “These bills strike the right balance: keeping communities safe while honoring the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens. This is not about taking away rights; it is about protecting lives. I urge the full House to act swiftly and send these bills to the Senate.” Read more

 

Cephas gathers community for legislative town hall meeting

(Sep 18, 2025) Philadelphia House Delegation

State Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila. hosted nearly 100 community members Wednesday night for a legislative town hall meeting at the Overbrook Park Church of Christ in the Overbrook Park section of West Philadelphia. Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Sep 16, 2025) Philadelphia House Delegation

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Agriculture: Urban Agricultural Infrastructure Grant Who May Apply: A person may apply to the Department for a grant for an eligible project in an urban municipality. Use: To improve urban agricultural infrastructure in an urban area, improve or facilitate the aggregation of agricultural products in an urban area, entail the sharing of resources among urban agricultural entities or community organizations, and/or support community development in the project area. Funds: $500,000 is expected to be available contingent on the 2025-26 budget. Application Deadline: October 31, 2025 More information: Pennsylvania Bulletin PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Department of Community and Economic Development: PA SITES Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic development organizations, redevelopment authorities, municipal authorities, industrial development agencies, and for-profit organizations. Use: To develop competitive sites for businesses to relocate or expand within Pennsylvania. Funds: $400 million in funding is available. Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and approved on a quarterly basis More information: DCED Website Department of Community and Economic Development: Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant Who May Apply: Technical and trade schools, school districts, post-secondary Read more

 

Neilson statement on continued inaction from PA Senate on mass transit funding

(Sep 10, 2025) Philadelphia House Delegation

“Today’s transit bills approved by the Senate only affect the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Agency and Pittsburgh Regional Transit without providing any additional funding to them or the other mass transit systems across the commonwealth. Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Sep 10, 2025) Philadelphia House Delegation

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Office of the State Fire Commissioner: Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Who May Apply: All fire companies, emergency medical services, and volunteer rescue squads Use: Facility improvements, equipment purchases, debt reduction, training, education, and recruitment and retention Funds: Grants will be not less than $2,500 and not more than $20,000 per applicant fire company and no more than $15,000 per applicant emergency medical service. Application Deadline: October 20, 2025 More information: OSFC Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) Who May Apply: Counties, county jails/county work release centers, Single County Authorities, and/or County Behavioral Health Administrators. Use: To support counties seeking to increase opportunities to provide Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) in combination with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to individuals in county jails and work release centers and upon release to the community. Funds: A total of $1,130,905 in federal Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) funds is being announced to support this initiative. RSAT funds require a 25 percent cash or in-kind match. The applicant’s source for the cash match must be state or local funds. Federal funds may not be used to meet the match requirement. PCCD expects to fund approximately five grants with budgets not to Read more

 

Cephas announces investments in neighborhood infrastructure
1 day ago

Smith-Wade-El, Hohenstein to hold news conference Oct. 28 in support of their legislation to create Office of New Pennsylvanians
1 day ago

Andre Carroll, one of younger state legislators, talks Pa. budget, youth vote and Kada Scott
Oct 21, 2025

Fiedler, Matzie introduce resolution urging Congress to fully fund LIHEAP, reinstate fired employees
Oct 21, 2025

George’s Hill Pump Station project receives state financing
Oct 15, 2025

Cephas: Transit is Personal
Oct 14, 2025

Rabb renews call to repeal death penalty in Pennsylvania
Oct 10, 2025

Fiedler, Powell, Khan, Probst bill to address school facilities crisis in Pa. passes House
Oct 10, 2025

“Navigating Toward Success” - 13th Annual Business Opportunity Forum.
Oct 10, 2025

House Agriculture, Education committees hear testimony on Keystone Fresh Act
Oct 07, 2025

Pa. House Tourism Committee discusses bill to fight human trafficking
Oct 02, 2025

House clears Solomon data breach bill
Oct 01, 2025

Neilson bill to protect consumers’ personal information online passes Pa. House
Oct 01, 2025

Technology would increase access to state programs, services for all
Sep 25, 2025

Brown calls for Hunger Task Force to help feed state
Sep 25, 2025

House Judiciary Committee advances gun violence prevention bills
Sep 22, 2025

Cephas gathers community for legislative town hall meeting
Sep 18, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Sep 16, 2025

Neilson statement on continued inaction from PA Senate on mass transit funding
Sep 10, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Sep 10, 2025